the things you choose to be

Halloween was a ton of fun.  I have never seen a neighborhood celebrate it to the degree that Mesta Park does.  More than half of the houses were decorated and almost all of them handed out candy.  People and cars lined the sidewalks and streets of our subdivision.

All 4 of our kids enjoyed the trick-or-treating.  Alli couldn’t believe that people were just giving candy away:)  After we walked a few blocks, Payton, Alli and I went back to our front porch to start handing out candy.  They were hysterical to watch.  They would stand on the front porch yelling “Customers, customers, come get some candy.”  I think they were more excited about giving the candy away then they were about getting candy.

After we ran out of candy to give away, we went inside and dumped out the spoils on the living room floor.  One thing about having 4 kids is that you come back with a LOT of candy.  Part of the Carter tradition is to eat as much candy as you want on Halloween night.  We all ate to our hearts content.  When everyone was full, they got to choose a few pieces to keep and then we packed up the rest and took it the next day to send to our soldiers overseas.

If you’re Halloween experience doesn’t sound like that much fun, you are welcome to come join us next year:)

Someone gave us a gift card for Chili’s.  We went yesterday afternoon for a lunch date while the kids were in school.  Alli got to tag along.

We ordered our favorite dessert in the world – Molten Chocolate Cake.  Although we had to fight Alli off to get some.  By the time Carey had taken this picture and e-mailed it the cake was half gone.  Alliyah was all business while the dessert lasted.

We just celebrated Emma’s 8th birthday!  She is growing up to be quite the little lady.  Although there are still plenty of moments of little girl silliness.  She loves to entertain her siblings – sometimes going a bit overboard, but always with good intentions.  She loves to go on dates with her daddy and regularly reminds me of how long it’s been since our last one.

She is becoming more responsible by the day and regularly helps Alliyah get dressed or reads her a book before bed.  She is a math genius and loves to work with numbers.  She is passionate about cooking and is becoming quite the capable chef.  Her heart is opening up to Jesus and desiring to please Him with her life and her actions.

I love you Emma bear and am grateful that you are my daughter.

Not a whole lot of interesting things happening at the Carter’s right now.  Madi is sick – seems like the flu.  Carey and I are headed to Falls Creek for a Mission Service Corps Prayer Retreat this afternoon.  Nana is coming up to spend time with the kids while we’re gone.

Haven’t been to Falls Creek for 10+ years.  I’m looking forward to some long walks with my hunny around the camp grounds and a couple of nights of childless sleep

I led worship this last weekend at FBC in Duncan, OK.  Emma sang to start the service.  This was the first time she’s sung a solo in a public setting.  There wasn’t a hint of nervousness in her.  You’d have thought she was singing in our living room rather than in front of a few hundred people.  She just picked up the microphone and took off with all the confidence in the world.

If you want to watch her go to this link

Put my e-mail address in the log-in box: clintcarter2@gmail.com

Click on “AM Worship Service: A Healthy Church”

Emma starts singing at 4:47.

I love being at home with my family.  I worked this morning but then took the afternoon off to spend with Carey and Alli.  Nothing says it’s a good afternoon like a swing set and a nap.

I spent all of last week in KC.  I had 5-6 meetings per day.  A lot of talking.  A lot of eating out.  Which is ironic, because those are Carey’s two favorite things.  I’m not sure either one even makes my top ten list.  Maybe she should be the one making all these trips

I had to come to a friend’s house to use the internet.  Ours was supposed to be up last Friday.  It wasn’t.  They are sending someone out tomorrow to check on it.

Lots of unpacking.  Our goal is to have the house done by this weekend – we’ll see.

Here’s a conversation I had with Alli this morning.

“Hey Alli.  Whatcha doing?”

“I’m a princess.”

“What’s Payton doing?

“He’s a dancer.”

“Really.  Payton’s a dancer.”

“Yeah, he’s a hip hop dancer.  We’re going to the hip hop dancer ball.

I didn’t realize they had those type of events.  Guess I’m out of the loop.

Alliyah has said a couple of priceless things this week.

The day after I got back from California, she crawled up in my lap with her lower lip sticking out.  I said “Alli what’s wrong?”

“I’m sad.”

“Why are you sad baby?”

“You made me sad when you were gone.”

Of course my heart breaks at that moment and I realize that she really does have me wrapped around her finger.  Second conversation from this weekend while we were in Ft. Worth at my parent’s house.

“Hey Alli.  Do you know where I can get some sugars?”

She says “Maybe I could go buy some.”

She turns around and walks into the kitchen.  30 seconds later she returns with her hand held out in front of her.  When she gets to me, she acts like she takes something out of her hand and puts it on her mouth.  Then she reaches up and gives me a kiss.

I said “Those were some great sugars!  Do you have anymore?”

“I don’t have more money.”

Constant entertainment.